Cleaning device



J. BROPSON CLEANING DEVICE Oct. 6, 1931.-

Filed Jfily 26, 1929 Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED srATEs JAMES BROPSON, or ctrivsriann, OHIO @FFEQEZ CLE NING nnvron Application filed July 26, 1929. Serial No. 331,214.

This invention relates to cleaning devices and has particular reference to devices of this character that are intendedfor removing obstructions in traps and toilet bowls.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device which shall be exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and highly eflicient in operation.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which shall be extremely flexible to enable it to be easily forced around 3 cordance with my invention Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same; Flg.

3 is a perspective view thereof showing the flexibility of the device; and Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively fragmentary views in side elevation and plan illustrating a modification of the device.

A cleaning device constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a handle having a kerf therein to receive a pair of relatively thin flexible metal strips 11 and 12. These strips are fastened in the kerf of the handle in any suitable manner, as for example, by bolts 13 extending transversely therethrough. o

The strips 11 and 12 project from the handle a suitable distance and at the opposite ends said strips are fastened to opposite sides of a head 14 by a rivet 15 or other suitable fastening means. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the head 14 is formed with a rounded nose portion 16 and barbed side portions 17, and I preferably recess each face of the head as indicated at 18 to receive the end portions of the strips 11 and 12.

Adjacent the head 14 I preferably apply 20to the strips 11 and 12. These projections serve to expand. or separate the strips adj acent. the head 14, andalso form barbs which are disposed in a plane at right angles to the '35 plane of the barbs 17 In use, the head14 is insertedv in the trap, toilet bowl'or other'conduit to be cleared of an obstruction and the device forced. therealong by pushing on handle 10. The rounded r560 portion 16 of the. head readily guides the device around bends without binding and the useof double strips 11 and 12 permits the device to readily conform to p all turns and at the. same time suflicient rigidity is imparted to the device to allow it to be forced along the conduit with out buckling. l/Vhen the obstruction is .encountered, it will be either forced through the conduit or engaged by the barbs 17 or 20 and can be pulled back and removed, it being noted that these barbs are disposed in planes .at right angles to each other thus insuring engagementof any obstruction encountered.

By separating the strips adjacent the head,'

sufficient rigidity is imparted at this end of the device to prevent the head from turning back on itself when t he obstruction is encountered.

' In Figs. 4 and 5 I have illustrated a slight modification of the head portion. In this instance I form the head from a strip of metal 21 bent back upon itself and fastened at 22 to the strips 11 and 12. The metal strip 21 is preferably enlarged at 23 to define a" cylindrical nose portion to facilitate guiding it around bends in the conduit. In other respects the device is identical with that illustrated in Figs. 1-3 and is used in the identi- 0 cal manner.

What Iclairn is: 1. A cleaning device of the character described comprising a handle having a flexible element projecting therefrom and fitted at its opposite end with a head forming a continuation of said strip, said head having a flattened portion connected to said flexible element and an enlarged rounded portion disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the device said flattened portion being suitable oppositely disposed projections 20,

formed with barbs projecting beyond the side edges of said flexible element.

2. A cleaning device of the character described comprisin a handle, a pair of flexible elements pro ecting from said handle,

and a head having a flattened portion secured to and between the opposite ends of said elements, the flattened portion of said head having a rounded nose portion.

10 3. A cleaning device of the character described comprising a handle, a pair of relativel thin flat metallic strips secured to said han 1e adjacent one end portion thereof, a head having a flattened portion secured between the opposite end portion of said strips, the flattened portion of said head having barbs projecting beyond the side edges of said strips and the forwardly projecting end thereof provided with a rounded nose portion.

4. A cleaning device of the character described com rising a handle, a pair of relativel thin at metallic strips secured to said han 'e adjacent one end portion thereof, a rmmdedhead secured between the opposite and portions of said strips and means ad- 'jaeent said head for spreading said strips apart.

5. A cleaning device of the character descnibed comprising a handle, a pair of relativelv thin flat metallic strips secured to said handle adjacent one endportion thereof, a head secured to the opposite end portion of saidstrips, said head having a rounded nose portion and barbs projecting therefrom, and

" projections fastened to said strips adjacent said head, said projections serving to hold said strips separated adjacent said head.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES BROPSON. 

